More ``numerology'' than mathematics, this short story is based on the idea that the decimal expansion of π has predictive value. For example, it is portrayed as predicting the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.

Of course, this is reminiscent of the completely non-fictional but completely bogus ``Bible Code''. Moreover, there are a few other similar works of fiction including:

And, at the risk of seeming self-serving, let me also recommend my own story ``The Center of the Universe'' which attempts to address the same idea a bit more realistically.

However, this story is still interesting, well written and a bit creepy. Just remember that it is fiction!

It was published in Lavie Tidhar's ``An Occupation of Angels'' (ISBN: 095385986X), but that book appears to be difficult to find. Fortunately, it is available free at InfinityPlus.

Contributed by
John C. Konrath

As stated in the comments above, this work is numerology, not mathematics. In an infinitely long series of digits one can find any message for which one looks. Despite this the story had me looking for messages of my own.

Your Help Needed: Some site visitors remember reading works of mathematical fiction that neither they nor I can identify. It is time to crowdsource this problem and ask for your help! You would help a neighbor find a missing pet...can't you also help a fellow site visitor find some missing works of mathematical fiction? Please take a look and let us know if you have seen these missing stories anywhere!.